Relay



Jan. 5, 1937. o. T. MclLv'AmE` 42,066,894

RELAY Filed May 28, 1,934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z@ 5g 6@ I f f2 4 Z l [il: 2 j Sil-1;. Q j 55; i @fz @a E 1 Hf@ i; f/ i f f0--f f i@ y i ,f f u 1 i 22 y i g 'f5 f 72 MZ '66 il V40 57i jd, @Z Z0 I@ f6 76M .2f 2J j@ 4/6 Jan. 5, 1937. Q T, MclLVAlNE 2,066,894

RELAY Filed May 28,* 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @rn fa/[UQ ne Patented Jan. 5, 1937` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RELAY Oran T. Mcllvalne, St.

Mcllvaine Patent Corporation-St. Charles, IIL,

Charles, IIL, assigno'r to llclaims.

My invention relates to relays and includes among its objects and advantages quick action and compactness and an increased ratio between the controlled current and the actuating current.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the magnetic unit and a central longitudinal section of the bulb;

Figure 2 is a. section as on line 2-2 of Figurel; f 4

Figure 3 is a section as on line 3--3 of Figure 2, and also indicates a modified form* of seal;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partialsection as on line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

.Figure 5 is a detail of the armature pivot.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration the force unit is shown as electric and as magnetic. It comprises an outer tube lll forming one arm of the magnet proper. The other arm is the central rod I2, riveted at I4 into the bottom wall I6 that completes the magnetic connection between thel rod and the tube. In the annular space between the rod `l2 and the tube lli I insert the usual cartridge made up of the bre tube I8 and the nbre-end caps 20. The winding 22 is wound as on a spool, with the ends brought down to pass through the insulating bushings 24 in the bottom wall i6.-

The entire magnetic unit is housed inside the inverted cup that constitutes the sealed bulb. This comprises the inner tube 24 and the outer tube 26. 'I'he outer tube. has the usual domeshaped end at 28. 'Ihe parts are assembled by flaring the lower end of the tube 24 andthen welding the edge of the flared end to the lower edge Vof the tube 26. In doing this the joint is smoothed out to deiine a shallow trough at 30.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the upper end of the tube 24 is closed by a dome 32, which is of relatively thin glass to decrease the magnetic gap between the magnetic unit and the armature 34.

In the embodiment of Figure l the seal is completed by suitable sealing wax at 36 around the base of the magnetic unit; and leakage through the magnetic unit may be prevented by extending the sealing 36 across the bottom of the unit,

' or by a similar sealing wax seal at 38, shown in sions 42 each having substantially the shape of a s'mall hemisphere with the lower point of the (CL G-87) rim of the hemisphere at substantially the lowest point of the trough 30. Below each such depression I weld on aA sealing tit 43 in which is inserted the lead-in wire. insulated at 46 and passing through the glass up into the depression 6 42. In use, each depression receives a substantially spherical mercury globule. It is well known that the surface tension of mercury will hold such a globule of substantial size in subtant'ially spherical shape and that the capillary action between 10 glass and mercury is such that mercury does not wet lglass, so that the g1obu1e win be heid quae denitely in position by the combined forces of gravity, surface tension, and capillary repulsion Near the top of the-tube 24 I position a. metal 15 band'50 fastened in place by welding or by a bolt 52 passed through turned out ears 54. 'I'he band 50 also carries a lug 56 forming a pivotal support for the armature 34. I have illustrated a. U- shaped metal arm 58 with its bight passing through the lug 56 and the ends of its legs welded 2 to the upper surface ofthe armature at 59. I have illustrated the armature as a segment of a sphere concaved slightly downwards, for convenience in allowing a similar dome shape for the glass dome 32 of Figure 3 and at the same time 25 reducing the magnetic gap in the embodiment of Figure 3 to a minimum. In the embodiments of Figure l and Figure 4, there is no such magnetic gap and the armature may be of any conguration and may be permitted to come as close to the tube so I0 and rod I2 as may be desirable, taking into consideration the possibility of sticking of the armature by residual magnetism.

Depending from the armature 34 are a plurality of supporting rods of which I have illustrated two, 60 and 62. 'Ihe parts are illustrated in Figure 1 with the armature remote from'the magnet unit and with the switches at the bottom of the bulb in open position. The upper end of the rod 60 may be welded to the armature 34 at 64, and at o the lower end is mounted a blade 66 in the form of a cylindrical metal rod of larger diameter than the supporting rod 66. It will be apparent from Figure 1 that attraction of the armature to closed position lwill move the blade 66 to the left and 45 immerse its ends in the adjacent globules 61 to complete an electric circuit through the corresponding lead wires.

T'he supporting rod 62 is similarly welded to the opposite edge of the armature, as at 68, and carries at its lower end a similar blade 10. On either side of the blade I0 I have illustrated companion blades 12 and 14. 'I'he three blades 16,12, and 14 move in unison to complete circuits through 55 and out of a position bridging said globules; and a vacuum seal completing the enclosure and positioned to include said amature within the sealed space.

6. In a relay, in combination: a magnetic unit; an inner sleeve housing said unit; an outer sleeve spaced from said inner sleeve to deiine an annular enclosure; the upper end of the outer sleeve being closed over; an annular trough; the outer rim of said trough joining the edge of the lower end of said outer sleeve, the inner rim of said trough joining the adjacent lower end edge of said inner sleeve; said trough having localized depressions; mercury globules in said depressions; an armature adjacent the upper end of said inner sleeve; an arm extending down from said amature between said sleeves; a conducting switch blade mounted on said arm to move into and out of a position bridging said globules; and a vacuum seal completing the enclosure and positioned to include said armature and at least the adjacent metallic terminals of the magnetic unit. within the sealed space. s

'1. In a relay, in combination: a magnetic unit; an annular trough near the lower end of said unit; said trough having localized depressions; mercury globules in said depressions; an armature adjacent the upper end of said unit: an arm extending down from said armature; and a conducting switch blade mounted on said arm to move into and out of a position bridging said globules.

8. In a relay, in combination: a magnetic unit; an inner sleeve housing said unit; an outer sleeve spaced from said inner sleeve to deilne an annular enclosure; the upper ends of both sleeves being closed over; an annular trough, the outer rim of said trough joining the edge of the lower end of said outer sleeve, the inner rim of said trough joining the adjacent lower end edge of said inner sleeve; said trough having localized depressions; mercury globules in said depressions; an armature adjacent the upper end of said inner sleeve; an arm extending down from said armature between said sleeves; and a conducting switch blade mounted on said arm to move into and out of a position bridging said globules; the space between said sleeves being evacuated.

9. In a relay, in combination: a magnetic unit; an inner sleeve housing said unit; an outer sleeve spaced from said inner sleeve to deilne an annular enclosure; the upper end of the outer sleeve being closed over; 'an annular trough; the outer rim of said trough joining the edge of the lower end of said outer sleeve, the inner rim of said trough joining the adjacent lower end edge of said inner sleeve; said trough having localized depressions; mercury .globules in said depressions; an armature adjacent the upper end of said inner sleeve; an arm extending down from said armature between said sleeves; a conducting switcli blade mounted on said arm to move into and out of a position bridging said globules; anda vacuum seal completing the enclosure and positioned to include said armature and magnetic unit within the sealed space.

10. In a relay, in combination: a glass support having spaced depressions therein; globules in said depressions and protruding above the rims thereof; lead wires in electrical contact with said globules; a conducting blade; an evacuated bulb enclosing said blade and globules; and means for moving said blade into and out of contact with said globules in a direction at an angle to a line passing through both globules.

11. In a relay, in combination: an annular sealed evacuated bulb; stationary contacts mounted in said bulb; and movable contact means movable into and out of contact with said stationary contact means, said movable contact means making contact in the annular space dened'by said bulb.

ORAN T. MCILVAINE. 

